Cecilia looking explosive at just the right time

Kevin Foote and James Bewers break down the LHSAA high school football playoff brackets in Class 4A. Have questions about the brackets? Email kfoote@theadvertiser.com or tweet him at @FooteNote.
Caitlin Jacob

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Cecilia's Kaleb Carter and the Bulldogs are rounding into form after a 41-8 bi-district playoff win.(Photo: Robby Bishop/Special to the Advertiser)Buy Photo

There's nothing like facing a soft spot in a do-or-die situation to clearly illustrate that progress has been made.

The No. 14-seeded Cecilia Bulldogs had plenty of reason to get frustrated early on in Friday's 41-8 Class 4A bi-district playoff victory over DeRidder.

On Cecilia's first three drives, it was one stall, one missed field goal and then a 95-yard pick six.

"I don't even think it fazed the kids at all," Cecilia coach Dennis Skains said. "They just kind of kept going. The next series the offense just drove down and scored. You never really know what's going to happen with teenagers, but it just kind of seemed like they were conditioned to know that things are going to go bad sometimes. I think they could see that we were controlling it. It was just a matter of time."

After that point, just about everything worked for the Bulldogs' offense, as Cecilia made it seven straight victories in a row. Cecilia will now travel to No. 3 Benton in the regionals on Friday.

"(Offensive coordinator) Coach (Clint) Harrison is so good," Skains said. "He's really, really good. Everything seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. The screen game was working, the run game was working, inside outside and we're throwing the football well."

Adonis Singleton ended up with the best numbers with 114 yards rushing. Quarterback Landon Lalonde threw for 137 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 64 yards and another score.

The receiving yards were evenly distributed with running back Devin Briscoe actually leading the way with 49 yards and a score.

As the season rolled on, the Bulldogs began to utilize their speed in the secondary on the offensive end, led by Kerrick Alexander. Ryan Malbrough was one of those guys, but his knee injury in the win over Breaux Bridge ended his season.

"That was big," Skains said. "He can do so many things for us, We lost a lot with Ryan out. He was just starting to get acclimated offensively. He was just so scary."

Those versatile weapons were utilized early, but on certain plays. Lately, it's been entire series, which makes it more difficult for opposing defenses. But even without Malbrough, adding Alexander gives Cecilia's receiving corps great depth along with Kaleb Carter and Lance Williams.

"As a defensive coach, I know how tough it is to prepare for a team when you have to try to figure out who the least awesome receiver is," Skains said. "Because of that Williams has had a couple of big games for us."

Wallace Davis has also added to the depth with Malbrough out.

With the offense rolling, how deep Cecilia's playoff run ends up could depend on the defense.

"It's what we've been preaching, just being physical," Skains said. "To to defeat teams that maybe have more talent, you've got to be tougher than them, more physical and more aggressive. When the physical toughness comes, then the mental toughness comes along with it."

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After breaking down potential playoff matchups, and some of the player highlights from this season, James Bewers and Kevin Foote turn their attention to the men on the sidelines.
Caitlin Jacob